The Empire 8 announced its 2010 Field Hockey All-Conference team with sophomore Jennifer Marabella of conference runner-up Washington & Jefferson College being named Empire 8 Player of the Year. Alex Kania of the Presidents was selected as Empire 8 Rookie of the Year.
Marabella, a second-team all-conference choice in her rookie season, leads the conference with 22 goals and 51 points. Her 22 goals are more than two teams have scored all season and within three goals of three more conference teams. Kania has scored five goals and totaled 19 points.
Joining Marabella on the all-conference first team from Washington & Jefferson are seniors Julianne Zackey and Kolbey Seidel. Zackey ranks third in the conference with 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. Seidel shares the conference lead in assists with seven.
Senior Lauren Griggs and junior Mallory Swanson of conference champion Stevens Institute of Technology each garnered first-team all-conference honors for the first time. Griggs directs the Ducks on the field and is the team’s only four-year starter, moving from forward to left midfield this season with a more defensive role. Swanson leads the Ducks with six goals and 13 points.
Senior Erin Murphy and junior Avion Ashton of third-place Utica College received first-team recognition. Ashton repeated as a first-team choice and is the team’s quarterback at the center back position. She and Murphy each scored two goals and finished with eight points.
Senior goalkeeper Kelsey Evans and senior center back/sweeper Emily Conway of Nazareth College were first-team selections. Evans posted a 1.24 goals against average, leading the conference with 188 saves, and ranking second with 11.06 saves per game. Conway was the team’s leader, tallying two goals and two assists.
Senior center midfielder Amanda Barton of Hartwick College made the all-conference first-team for the third consecutive year. She recorded two goals and nine assists and will graduate as one of the most skilled players in the program’s history.
Senior forward/midfielder Katie Brown of Ithaca College repeated as a first-team all-conference choice. She scored twice and finished with eight points.
Washington & Jefferson Head Coach Jomara Coghlan was chosen as Empire 8 Field Hockey Coach of the Year for leading the Presidents to a 5-1 conference record, a 15-4 overall mark, and spot in the Empire 8 Field Hockey Championship final.
Empire 8 2010 Field Hockey All-Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Jennifer Marabella, Washington & Jefferson College
Rookie of the Year: Alex Kania, Washington & Jefferson College
Coach of the Year: Jomara Coghlan, Washington & Jefferson College
Field Hockey All-Conference Release